Saturday, April 4, 2009

I received the following message from the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Communications Committee Chair regarding the scheduling of a meeting by the Public Purpose Funds Committee to review the allocations in Public Purpose Funds previously made.

At Wednesday's RIRA meeting, RIRA voted to ask the RIRA PPG subcommittee to reconsider the allocations proposed to RIOC. The decision to reconsider was based upon some of the feedback at Tuesday's RIOC Governance committee and the expression of the appearance of conflict-of-interest and/or the appearance of unfairness. The PPG subcommittee will meet:

Where: Good Shepherd Community Center, lower level

When: Tuesday, April 7, 8PM

The subcommittee will include those RIRA Common Council members who volunteered AND only those who have no conflicting relationship (officer, director, employee, ownership) with the PPG applicants. The seating arrangement will be like RIRA meetings (tables in the center, observers on the side) so it is clear who is part of the committee. RIRA President, Frank Farance, will chair the subcommittee. The meeting will be videotaped. This is an open meeting and the public is welcome to observe.

Assuming we reach agreement on Tuesday night, RIRA will do an E-mail ballot of the revised allocations. With this, RIOC will have either a revised allocation, or if no changes are deemed necessary, will issue a statement that the original allocation was not the result of any conflict of interest. It is RIRAs intention that this will yield a process that is free from any appearances of conflict or unfairness.

A summary of the guidelines for approving Public Purpose Funding Applications as promulgated by RIOC are as follows:

Public Purpose Funds should be allocated to community applicants to benefit Roosevelt Island residents, enhancing their quality of life through education, artistic and cultural enrichment, improved health or a better environment....

Factors to be considered are:

... a) Proportion of recipients who are residents of Roosevelt Island

b) Amount of services delivered to the economically disadvantaged

c) Frequency of need – Is this a one-time request or is it expected to recur ?

d) Proven history of service to the community

e) Extent of volunteerism in the organization – how much of the group’s needsare filled by donated time or materials ?

f) Availability of “matching” grants or services – will a RIOC grant improve thechances of receiving additional monies or services form outside groups?

g) Efforts to secure grants from other sources

UPDATE - 4/8 - The Public Purpose Funds Subcommittee met last night and reaffirmed their previous allocation of funds. Members of the various Island organizations seeking funds were in the audience but their participation was limited to presenting new information not previously known or correcting false information.

An attentive reader forward a link to this AM New York article describing the new subway cars on the F train serving Roosevelt Island. According to AM New York:

... Finally, F train riders have something to celebrate.

New digital trains started rolling out on the F last week, adding some automated enjoyment to the much-maligned line....

Unfortunately these new F train subway cars will not be making Queens Bound stops at Roosevelt Island this weekend. The MTA is reporting no Queens Bound F Train subway service to Roosevelt Island this weekend. The F Train will be running on the E track so in order to get to Roosevelt Island from Brooklyn or Manhattan by subway take the F to Roosevelt Avenue and then take the Coney Island bound F Train back to Roosevelt Island. For service to Queens from Roosevelt Island, the MTA suggests taking the Q102 Bus to Queens Plaza for the E and the R train or the F from Roosevelt Island to West 4 and then the uptown F train running on the E line.

Happily RIOC is not reporting any Tram service advisories for the weekend but expect the Roosevelt Island bound Tram to be more crowded due to the F train service disruptions.

Tonight and tomorrow's Rhythm in the Kitchen Festival is more than a jazz fest -- the participants reach beyond traditional instrumentals by using electronics, turntables or ukuleles, and add elements of rock, pop, classical and even noise to the mix

Feathers fly and fake cash soars as we converge on Wall Street for a massive urban pillow fight! Swing and whack as you evade pillow-wielding bank executives. Bring a pillow to Wall Street and wait for the signal. Pillow fight! This year's pillow fight is timed to coincide with pillow fights in cities all over the world as part of World Pillow Fight Day...

The 100 Hours of Astronomy project is a star party taking place April 2nd-5th on sidewalks all across the globe. Our outreach team will be manning telescopes at 125th and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd in Harlem on the clear-weather nights of Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (NOT FRIDAY). We will provide everyone with free looks at Saturn and the Moon, as well as astronomy swag. There is also rumor that the AMNH portable museum will show up for hands-on astronomy activities.

Come the weekend you'll be able to ride the Cyclone - and soon even "Shoot the Freak" - just like you did last summer as Coney Island bounces back for at least one more season before a massive overhaul....

Did you miss the chance to enjoy Coney Island in it's heyday? Perhaps even its recent nostalgic yet run down Renaissance? Well don't fear. While Brooklyn's little playground by the sea is undergoing a Disnification, you can still learn all about its grand and sorted past at the new Coney Island History Project Exhibition Center. Each weekend throughout the summer, they will spin yarns of yesteryear under the rickety old Cyclone for you wax poetically about. Today is their kickoff event with a photo exhibition and free Cyclone rides to the first 100. All ages.

On Roosevelt Island this weekend,the Farmers Market will be open as usual on Saturday as is Gallery RIVAA, the Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association which is exhibiting a group show titled Vernissage 8. Also, RIOC has produced a great self guided tour map (PDF File) of Roosevelt Island for any visitor or resident looking to stroll the Island and learn something more about it.

Not so good weekend transportation news. The MTA is reporting no Queens Bound F Train subway service to Roosevelt Island this weekend. The F Train will be running on the E track so in order to get to Roosevelt Island from Brooklyn or Manhattan by subway take the F to Roosevelt Avenue and then take the Coney Island bound F Train back to Roosevelt Island. RIOC is not reporting any Tram service advisories for the weekend.

A reader forwards the following Roosevelt Island Tram Cabin design images sent from POMAGALSKI S.A. and their subsidiaries to RIOC President Steve Shane and Mr. Shane's request for comments from Roosevelt Islanders. From POMAGALSKI S.A.:

SIGMA has been working last week to design the cabin in accordance to our last meeting in RIOC two weeks ago.

Here attached you will find a set of images that we would like to present to you in order to get your approval in terms of aspect (taking apart any technical point). This is necessary to avoid a loss of time and to make sure that we are in the good directions before going further in the design procedure.

I would appreciate if you come back to us as soon as possible.

Mr. Shane sends the following to his Tram Cabin Focus Group.

My instant focus group. If I've left anyone out, I apologize in advance. Please feel free to inquire of your circle and get back to me with comments by COB tomorrow, April 2 so I can respond to the design team. Obviously, need poles to hang onto, cabin console, some provision for anchoring a wheelchair, roof hatch, signage, etc.

Other than the robot, who I am pretty sure will not be operating the Tram, what do you think of the designs?

I have no way of knowing but I think they were trying to decide on whether to go to Trellis, Starbucks, Nonnos or Fuji East after the meeting.

The Web Cast of yesterday's Governance Committe meeting will be available shortly. No decision was made by the RIOC Directors yesterday regarding the allocation of Public Purpose Funds. The Directors were primarily seeking to determine if the process RIRA used to allocate the funds among competing Roosevelt Island groups was not only fair but had the appearance of fairness as well.

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council will be meeting tonight Wednesday, April 1, 8PM at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street). Prior to the meeting, time is alloted for any resident to speak before the Council and air their views or issues of concern to Roosevelt Islanders.

The Agenda for the meeting is as follows:

AGENDA

Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2009Time: 8:00 P.M. - FinishPlace: Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main Street 1. Public Session (8:00)- No requests for public session

1. Katz discussed the ongoing efforts by the two graduate classes at Columbia University and Hunter College to address Island issues, especially transportation. He reminded the committee of the two dates scheduled by the Hunter group to present their data: March 31 and April 4.

2. Community Board 8 Member, Ellen Polivy, discussed the work of their Parks Committee to plan a Citywide forum in May on the appropriate commercial use of parks. CB8 has banned vendors from Tram Plaza, and Mincheff noted that their presence would act as a deterrent to vagrants as well as helping to maintain the site and provide refreshments to the Islanders who are primary users of the Tram. The Committee agreed to draft a resolution (under separate cover) to CB8 asking them to reconsider and to present it at the April 1 Common Council for their approval. The Committee agreed to draft another resolution (under separate cover) to RIOC encouraging them to provide refreshment services, either directly or through outside vendors, at our parks.

3. Farance noted that RIOC President Shane appears to have reversed his endorsement of a master leaseholder for the Northtown Main Street retail stores. The RIOC Real Estate Advisory Committee, chaired by Charlee Miller, is still supporting the plan, although they have yet to make recommendations to the Board. Kalkin said that RIOC VP, Rosina Abramson, has called for a study of the master lease proposal, as opposed to having RIOC or a hired consultant, fill the empty stores. Kalkin said he is investigating banks and credit unions that might take over the NYNB space when they leave in June. Mincheff noted how important a banking presence on the Island is, especially for seniors.

4. Farance, who proposed and convened a sub-committee of this Committee to investigate RIOC’s inadequate budget projections, reported that CFO Chironis has reneged on his guarantee to provide complete financial data. He was promised a database dump from 1991 that would include line-item actuals, and this has not been forthcoming. Farance noted in The WIRE RIRA column that RIOC’s five-year revenue projections don’t offer satisfactory assurances of solvency in the current economic atmosphere, especially with future Southtown ground lease revenues put on (what we can only hope will be) temporary hold. Farance has posited three scenarios for the future development of the Island, each of which results in RIOC’s insolvency sometime in the middle or distant future. Accurate data from RIOC could corroborate or refute these analyses and aid both RIRA and RIOC to plot a future course of fiscal action. Farance is pursuing various avenues, including Board members and local legislators, to acquire this information. Kalkin said he would try to get the data.

Respectfully submitted,Matthew KatzChair, Planning Committee

The Report of the RIRA Communications Committee:

Report of the Communications CommitteeMarch 27, 2009

The set-up of the website is still underway. As stated in the prior report, with only two members, this chair will be communicating with the committee via email as necessary, rather than holding formal meetings.

I have communicated with the Roosevelt Island Blogger who has generously agreed to post the agenda and the meeting materials on that site so that this information is accessible to the public.

As stated previously, I hope to eventually post the pictures of the Common Council members on the website as many tenants recognize faces rather than names and may improve communication between representatives and the tenants. Pictures will be taken during the April meeting.

Credit Card TheftWe have learned that in the last 6 months, there have been 35 cases of credit card theft on Roosevelt Island. These incidents are now under active investigations by the Post Office, the NYPD and the Secret Service. Since these cases are being pursued by the proper agencies, ISC will no longer be active on this issue. However, we will continue to closely monitor developments.

Red Bus – Morning Rush Hour ServiceRed Bus morning rush hour service problems seem to have been relieved. However, at least one problem remains. From time-to-time, the local Red Bus will not pick-up passengers at the Good Shepherd and Island House bus stops due to overcrowding on the bus.ISC will monitor the situation to determine how frequently the by-passing occurs. We will be asking residents at these bus stops to report to us on all incidents. Notices will be posted on appropriate Main St. kiosks requesting the information – date and time of each missed bus pick-up during the weekday period of 7 am – 9 am.

Disabled Accessibility to F trainIn March, the MTA finally installed a ramp in the middle of both Roosevelt Island station platforms that will allow wheelchair and motorized carts to easily board the F train. This successfully close out the ISC ‘s interest in this important issue.

Public LibraryCommittee members and RI residents report that our branch library is not providing a variety of services expected from Manhattan libraries. Some examples: the RI library is not scheduling children’s reading groups, not cataloging and properly shelving the special collection of documents, reports and books relating to RI history, and not out-reaching to the community, especially to our schools.ISC will gather additional information and then consider taking our concerns to the higher management of Manhattan libraries.

Bike Storage Racks At Subway StationMany bikes seem to be permanently stored at the subway station racks. This prevents residents from using the the racks for their intended purpose – temporary storage of a bike while a resident is using the subway or tram to travel to another part of the City.We are contacting the Public Safety Department to see if they can control the bike storage situation.

Aaron Hamburger, ISC Chair

And a proposed RIRA resolution to Community Planning Board 8 regarding lifting a ban on licensed vendors at the Manhattan Tram Plaza.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Right now we're applying for a permit to play a Soccer League in the firefighters field during the summer. We would love to honor a Roosevelt Islander, by naming our trophy after him or her. But I was wondering if you can give me some suggestions.

A reader points out a letter from the NY Times Metropolitan Diary feature yesterday which repeats the false notion that Manhattan has no Main Street. Happily, the NY Times editor correctly points out that Manhattan does indeed have a Main Street and that it is on Roosevelt Island which is part of Manhattan. According to the NY Times:

... In fact, Roosevelt Island, which is part of the borough of Manhattan, has a Main Street....

Now, if only the cab drivers believed that Roosevelt Island is part of Manhattan it would be much easier getting them to take fares here.

The Hunter College Access RI Team studying transportation, including bike sharing, and other related Roosevelt Island issues of concern will be presenting their draft report to the Roosevelt Island community for review and comment on Tuesday March 31 and Saturday April 4. From Access RI:

AccessRI will be presenting a draft of our accessibility study for community review. We invite you to participate in this discussion about our recommendations for the island.

You will have two chances to participate:

Tuesday, March 31 at the RI Senior Center from 7-9pm orSaturday, April 4 at the RI Senior Center from 10am-noon

As always we look forward to your questions and comments!

The Senior Center is at 546 Main Street.

What are some of the issues addressed in the Access RI study? Take a look at the Comment Map prepared at their community Open House last December.

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WELCOME TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Welcome to the Roosevelt Islander Online!

Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.

The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.